The Chapel Bridge and Water Tower

The Chapel Bridge and Water Tower were built in the 14th century. The bridge served as a rampart, as well as part of the town fortification. Originally 285 metres long, the bridge was shortened several times during the 19th century. The Water Tower served as a dungeon, archive and treasury vault.

In the 17th century the Chapel Bridge was adorned with a set of paintings. The triangular panels were designed by town secretary Renward Cysat, a universal scholar, and painted in Renaissance style by Hans Heinrich Wägmann. The series of paintings depict the development of the city and republic of Lucerne from a Counter-Reformation point of view. Other pictures portray the life and suffering of the town's two patron saints, St. Leodegar and St. Mauritius.  

During the night of 17th August 1993, a fire broke out on the Chapel Bridge, burning 81 of the 111 bridge paintings. The paintings on both bridgeheads escaped damage by the blaze.

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